Wind Power Brings Jobs to Nevada, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin

With companies like GE Energy reporting $1.3 billion in orders for
wind turbines, some may assume that all the benefits from wind
projects go toward large corporations, but that's far from the case.
In fact, the current flurry of wind power projects is yielding job and
economic benefits across the country.

Nevada is the latest to gain from the current wind rush, as Energy
Nevada, LLC has announced an agreement with Sweden's Nordic Windpower
to establish Nordic's U.S. manufacturing activity in the northern part
of the state. The agreement provides for Nordic Windpower to start
manufacturing wind turbines in Nevada as soon as a wind developer
commits to building a Nevada wind energy project of sufficient size.
From the Nevada plant, Nordic and Energy Nevada plan to ship wind
turbines throughout North America. See the Energy Nevada press release (PDF 254 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

A fabrication plant in Provo, Utah, is already benefiting from the
wind rush, having just earned a contract to build 150 tubular steel
towers for wind turbines to be installed in the West. The 14-month
project will require more than 18,000 tons of steel. The plant is
owned by CB&I, a leading engineering, procurement, and construction
company. See the CB&I press release.

Northern Power Systems will use its new manufacturing space to build several of its NorthWind 100 wind turbines, like the one shown here, for installation in Alaska.Credit: Warren Gretz, NREL

Wind power's fabrication needs have also yielded benefits for
Wisconsin, as a new company called Global Energy Systems has been
established in Stevens Point. The new plant will fabricate wind
turbine components such as towers, flanges, gearboxes, bedplates, and
hubs, and will employ about 100 people, including 75 skilled laborers.
The company was started with the help of a Wisconsin Focus on Energy
grant. See the Focus on Energy press release (PDF 21 KB).

Last but not least, Vermont's Northern Power Systems is expanding its
manufacturing facilities, having leased a 35,000-square-foot plant in
Barre. The company plans to hire at least 35 new employees, including
technicians, drafters, and engineers. The facility will first be used
to build NorthWind 100 wind turbines for shipment to Alaska, and will
also serve to fabricate industrial power systems. See the Northern Power press release.